COMPOUND SIGNS IN ASL

Jesse Smith

ENGLISH COMPOUND WORDS

Compound Word: When two separate words are brought
together to form a new word
Newly formed word creates a new meaning
Pattern: Emphasis on the first word of the compound, the
second word is reduced or lost
Example: Green + House = Gr`eenhouse
(Valli et al., 2011)

EXAMPLES OF ENGLISH COMPOUND WORDS

Rail + Road = R-a-i-l-r-o-a-d
Book + Case = B-o-o-k-c-a-s-e
Black + Berry = B-l-a-c-k-b-e-r-r-y
Home + Work = H-o-m-e-w-o-r-k
Show + Room = S-h-o-w-r-o-o-m
Green + House = G-r-e-e-n-h-o-u-s-e
Fingerspell with me

(Valli et al., 2011)

COMPOUND SIGNS
First Contact Hold Rule: If the first sign in the compound
touches the body, eliminate everything but that contact hold
Single Sequence Rule: Do not repeat identical sequences. This
applies to the initial sign or the final sign in the compound
Weak Hand Anticipation: If the first sign is one-handed and
the second sign is two-handed, the entire sign becomes twohanded
Example: HOME + WORK = HOMEWORK
(Valli et al., 2011)

EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND ASL SIGNS

TWO SIGNS BECOME ONE SIGN

GIRL~SAME = *SISTER
BOY~SAME = *BROTHER
MAN~MARRY = HUSBAND
WOMAN~MARRY = WIFE
MOTHER~FATHER = PARENT
THINK~CONTINUE-TOO = REMEMBER

ACTIVITY
Working in pairs; use the six online ASL
dictionaries to research four compound signs
(fingerspelled by teacher). After 20-30 minutes
of research each group will take turns
comparing the results of their findings.
(Both members of each group will report their
findings to the class)

SPREADTHESIGN.COM
HOMEWORK
(EUROPEAN SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER)

SIGNINGSAVVY.COM

HOMEWORK

 Normally the sign HOME has a double movement. Once

near the mouth and then higher by the ear
Normally the sign WORK has a double movement as well
But for the sign "HOMEWORK" you just touch the cheek
just once and whack your non-dominant hand just once.
(Vicars, 2013)

CLASS DISCUSSION:
Did you notice any pattern in ASL
compounds?
Discuss compounds in which two signs
become one: SISTER
Discuss compounds in which both signs are
still represented but modified: GOODENOUGH

HOMEWORK
Research one ASL compound sign in which two
signs are brought together to form a new, single
sign
Research one ASL compound sign in which both
signs are represented, but modified
Bring them to class tomorrow ready to show, and
support, your findings

EXAMPLES OF COMPOUNDS:
BOYFRIEND
GIRLFRIEND
GOODNIGHT
BOOKSTORE
BOOKSHELF
MENTION

BELIEVE
OBSESS
AGREE
TOMATO

PARTING CULTURAL NOTE ON LANGUAGE

As an ASL student, I want you to be

aware of the grammatical rules and
structure of the language so you
have the tools to analyze it for
yourself. At the same time I want you
to know that what people do with
language is ultimately in their hands,

REFERENCES
:
European Sign Language Center. (2012). Sign language dictionary SPREADTHESIGN. Retrieved from http://www.spreadthesign.com//
Valli, C. & Lucas, C. (2013). Linguistics of American Sign Language.
Compounds, 3, 67-22.
Vicars, B. (2013). ASL American Sign Language. Retrieved from
http://lifeprint.com/